Why is the mouse not working on my laptop? Troubleshooting

The refusal of the manipulator to work is a common phenomenon that often occurs suddenly. Recently, the mouse functioned normally, and after a minute the cursor stops in one place. The mouse refuses to work, and the computer does not detect it in any way. Let’s analyze the possible reasons why the mouse on the laptop does not work, with a conclusion and options for getting out of the situation.

Modern laptops can run two devices at the same time that perform the same functions. It:

• touchpad – a touchpad or a black window under the keyboard that performs all the functions of a mouse;
• a mouse, which can be wired or, more conveniently, wireless.

Some users prefer to use the touchpad, since the laptop is more mobile with it, while others, on the contrary, disable the touchpad and work with the familiar mouse. Any of these devices can fail, but the causes of failures will differ. If the mouse stops working, first turn off the power, unplug the power cord, and remove the battery. Turn it on after a minute. If the problem persists, follow the instructions below.

Laptop Touchpad Issues

If a USB mouse is connected to a laptop that has problems with the touchpad, remove it from the socket, restart the computer and check again. There are at least two possible problems:

Panel not working well

Signs – the cursor randomly moves around the monitor, barely crawls or vice versa, flies very fast, it is impossible to select the desired object, etc. e. The reason for this is usually stains left on the panel. They washed their hands badly after eating or smeared them with a greasy cream and sat down to work at the computer. The solution is simple, turn off the computer and clean the panel with a soft, soapy sponge, then wipe with a tissue. Be sure to give it time to dry.

If the problem persists, you can try changing the panel sensitivity settings. Select "Control Panel", "Mouse", "Settings" and experiment. If the cursor on the screen adequately responds to the movement of the fingers, but the scroll bar (scroll on the touchpad) does not work, then the problem is in the software. You need to download and install the native driver, preferably on the manufacturer’s website.

Touchpad doesn’t work at all

Symptoms – When you swipe across the panel, there is no cursor movement on the screen. There are many reasons why the mouse does not work on a laptop, the touchpad is quite capricious.

• The most elementary, and at the same time, the most common reason is the disabled state of the panel. You can check this easily, turn off or turn on the touchpad by pressing the Fn and F7 keys together (in different models it can be F from 1 to 12), but the button usually shows a panel and a hand.
• If pressing the keys does not help, check the status of the touchpad through the "Control Panel", "Device Manager". Let’s say the programs work correctly, but the panel does not respond, then the problem is most likely a damaged cable. During operation, and especially transportation, the laptop can be strongly shaken or hit, as a result of which the cable will open or break off. The solution may be to contact the service center, and for a while you should connect a USB mouse.
• The panel could fail after being hit directly on it. Then feel free to go to the service center and replace it.
• Perhaps touchpad support is disabled in the BIOS, then you need to go into it and change the value from Disabled to Enabled for the InternalPointingDevice parameter.

After all the manipulations, the question of why the built-in mouse does not work on the laptop remained open? Then maybe the reason is much more serious and it’s all about damage to the motherboard, for example, due to the fall of the laptop itself. It is easy to suspect such a problem if, in addition to the touchpad, the keyboard and one or all USB ports have failed. In this case, they can only diagnose and repair at a service center, and in half the cases you will be offered to replace the entire motherboard.

What to do if the wired mouse stops working

This is already a separate manipulator, you can remove it, connect it to another computer for testing, or throw it away and buy a new one. That is, if the mouse does not work on another computer, then repair or replace it with a new one. If it’s the other way around, then it’s a problem with the laptop. Let’s take a closer look at why a laptop mouse, wired, does not work and how to diagnose problems on your own.

The mouse may work with defects that appear from time to time or constantly. For example, the buttons get stuck or not pressed, the scroll wheel does not work. The reason is usually mechanical, and is solved by simply replacing the manipulator. 

The mouse may completely stop working, that is, the cursor has stopped and does not move, or the laptop does not see this device. If replacing the mouse in this case does not work, then you should try to take the following steps:

Select "Control Panel", "Device Manager" and completely remove the mouse from the equipment. The next step is to restart the computer, the device will find itself and will continue to work as it should.

• connect the manipulator to another USB port, the problem may be in it;
• to restart a computer.

Thus, in any case, you will solve the problem, whether the reason is even in the mouse itself, even in the software.

If the wireless manipulator fails

The wireless mouse is not connected to the laptop, which has a positive effect on mobility. At the same time, it adds worries to the owner of the device. Whether the transmitting and receiving devices recognize each other, how to remember to charge the batteries, how far you can move the mouse away from the adapter, we have covered these and other points for you. So, why doesn’t the mouse on the laptop work wirelessly, using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi signals to connect?

1. If the cursor doesn’t respond in any way to the movement of the manipulator, try one of the following:
2. Check the switch, which is located on the "belly" of the mouse. It should be in the "On" position.
3. Turn off or restart your laptop. This action should be repeated after any step taken.
4. Move your laptop closer to the adapter to avoid signal interference.
5. Wireless devices are battery powered, so it’s worth checking their condition. Sometimes the indicator shows a good charge, and the device already stops working, then it is worth replacing the batteries, and the work will improve. Also, check the poles of the batteries.
6. If the laptop has a USB receiver, then remove it from the socket and connect it to another USB port, and try to keep it closer to the mouse.
7. From time to time, the adapter and the mouse itself "lose" each other. Therefore, you need to perform a simple procedure – press the button on the transmitter and when it starts flashing, press the button on the bottom of the mouse (the light on the adapter should stop flashing).
8. Check the software, if there is a suspicion of its failure, just update the driver. That is, remove the mouse from the hardware and restart the laptop.

If you have tried all the methods and they do not help, connect your wireless device to another computer. Perhaps there is a breakdown of the mouse itself or the transmitter. In this case, you can take it for repair or buy a new one, which is preferable due to the low cost of the gadget.

If your wireless device is working, but the cursor is flickering around the screen, doesn’t move as it should, or freezes in one place as you move the mouse, try the following suggestions.

Investigate the type of surface the mouse is working on. A glass or transparent surface, as well as corrugated glass and translucent, reflective coatings, are not suitable for the wireless device to function properly. Try putting down a light-colored rug, or even a plain piece of paper, and see if the mouse performance has changed.

• Check the batteries, they may be causing the mouse to "stutter".
• Check the batteries, they may be causing the mouse to "stutter".
• Check the plastic lenses of the manipulator for dirt. Turn it over and wipe the underside with a soft cloth.
• Move the mouse to a distance of no more than thirty centimeters from the transmitter and remove all objects between them. This is especially true for bulky metal objects.

The use of each manipulator implies the presence of certain problems. But using the recommendations in the article, you yourself will be able to solve most of them. If all attempts are unsuccessful, contact the service department for professional assistance.